Graining machine



May 4, 1948. E. A. CASSON GRAINING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1944 2Sheets-Sheet l 1 vuwvbo b )3 OHS ON y 1948- E. A. CASSON GRAININGMACHINE Filed Jan. 3, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 4, 1948- UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE GRAINING MACHINE Edward a Casson, Washington, D. 0.

Application January 3, 1944, Serial No. 516,897

1 Claim. 1

The present invention comprises a graining machine for plates used inplanographic processes,

the graining being effected by an abrasive action administered when theplate carrying tub is reciprocated or subjected to a circulatorymovement to constantly displace an abrasive, such as hydrated sand,superimposed on the plates, the abrasive being urged against the platesby suitable mobile bodies such as marbles. The object of the presentinvention is to provide a simple relatively inexpensive grainingmachine, operable to obtain all the benefits of machines heretofore usedin the art, and available to the trade at only a fraction of the cost ofsaid machines.

It is also within the contemplation of this invention to provide a plateholding tub operable in an eccentric circulatory path, the tub and itsframe being spaced from and having no contact with the base or mainframe of the machine, the tub and its frame being suspended over thebase or main frame and operatively engaged with power means in thelatter.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the followingdescription of the present preferred form of the invention taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a machine constructed in accordancewith the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same;

Figure 3 is an elevational view of a modified form of the inventionwherein the suspension means pends from a point above the graining tub;and

Figure 4 is a detail fragmentary sectional view of the tub and itsframe, showing the interengaging means thereof.

The machine of the present invention includes a frame generallydesignated 5 which, in the form of invention illustrated in Figures 1and 2 includes a cabinet in which the power means of the machine ismounted. The frame includes vertical standards or uprights 6, the lowerends of which are formed to provide, or are equipped with supportingfeet 1, the upper ends of the stands or uprights being extended to.provide, or are equipped with arms 8, the upper end of each of which isreversely turned to provide a hook 9, the terminal of which is providedwith an aperture Hi. It will'be noted that the bills of the hooksoverhang the top of the frame 5 as illustrated to advantage in Figures 1and 2.

The frame in the present instance, is shown to be of rectangularconfiguration, although it is understood that any other contour may beused.

The frame includes suitable supporting shelves or bars II, the lower ofwhich, in the present embodiment of the invention, carries a motor l2which is operatively engaged with a fly-wheel l3 for communicating powerto a shaft I l. The motor is controlled in a manner well known in theart, by a switch l5 which is accessible from one side of the framecasing, by a button or the like 16. The shaft [4 extends upwardlythrough the top shelf or bar and the top of the frame. The shaft ismounted for rotation in bearing carrying housings I! mounted on theshelves I I. Just above the upper of the housings H the shaft is'offset, as indicated at l8, for a purpose more fully hereinafter setforth.

Mounted for movement above the frame 5 is a plate carrying tub or box l9in which the planographic or lithographic plates are adapted to bemounted for graining. As is well known in the art, the plates havesuperimposed thereon, a hydrated sand which is worked over the surfacesof the plates by small mobile bodies such as marbles. The tub ishingedly mounted, as indicated at 20, on a frame 2|, in a manner alsowell known in the art. One end of the tub is equipped with handles 22 tofacilitate elevation of said end .of the tub for dispensing the contentsof the latter. Dowels 23 may be mounted in the end of the tub below thehandles 22 for engagement with complemental openings formed in the frameH to prevent lateral displacement of the tub, independent of its frame2!, when the machine is in operation.

A bracket 24 extends from each corner of the frame 2! and is engageablewith one end of an adjustable chain or other suitable flexibleconnection 25. The upper end of each chain is engaged in an aperture inof one of the supporting arms 8.

A bearing carried housing I1 is engaged with the bottom face of theframe 2| and depends from the latter through an opening 26 formed in thetop of the frame 5. Upon reference to Figure 2 the recessed top 28 ofthe frame or cabinet through an apertured collar 29 in said top.

In the modified form of invention illustrated in Figure 3, I prefer tosuspend the tub from a ceiling or other overhanging support 3!. In thisform of invention, the tub i9 is supported at its corners by adjustableand flexible supporting elements 25', the upper end of each of which isengaged with an eye 38 carried by said support 3 l. The--- lower "end ofteach-of; the supporting elements 25' is engaged with the tub and itsframe in the same manner as shown in the form of invention illustratedin Figures 1 and 2. In this form, the frame or cabinet 5, if desired,maybe eliminated and a suitable supporting means! l only employed,through which aypQwer; shaft "tit extends for operative engagement withthe tub and its frame in an obvious manner. The-power 4 of the mobilemass superimposed on the plates in the tub, As is apparent, thesuspension means or chains 25 and 25 are susceptible of adjustment forobvious reasons.

Although I have herein described preferred forms of my invention, it isnevertheless to be understood that various changes may be made therein,within the scope of the claim hereto appended.

What I claim is:

A graining machine comprising a frame having a closed recessed topprovided with an apertured collar, a drawer mounted in the framedirectly below the said collar to receive materials depositedon saidtop, a tub assembly suspended by the;fr am'e;,ahove and in spacedrelation to the closed top of the latter, one end of the tub beinghinged topermit tilting of the latter, on its assemshaft M is connectedto a suitable source-of:

energy.

With the present invention, rotation of the shaft l4 oi-"hi" impartsmovement to thetub or box 18 or l9". This 'impartstan' eccentriccirculatorymotion to thetub which is predetermined. In both formsofftheinvention herein illustrated, the tub. and its frame is completely freefrom contact iwithithemain frame or other supporting base which may beemployed. Onthe contrary, the tub is. suspended above and appreciablyspaced from the top .of the main frame or-other meanssupportingtheflpower shaft. This results in a complete absence offriction between the tub and the-main frame, and further insures asmoother and more .efiec'tive operation. in the displacement b1y,for;dispensing materials, carried by the tub, onto the recessed topofthe frame.

EDWARD A. CASSON.

REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences are of record'in the of thispatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Aug. 4, 1854

